Betty White’s hometown set to honor her legacy with Betty White Day in Oak Park, Illinois

Betty White died of natural causes at the age of 99 on Dec. 31 at her home in Los Angeles, Calif. 

And her Oak Park, Illinois hometown is set to honor the legendary actress on what would have been her 100th birthday.

Betty White Day will take place on Jan. 17 and feature a mural contest, themed specials at various restaurants in town, and more.  

The president of the Village of Oak Park, Vicki Scaman, ‘will read a proclamation for “Betty White Day” during a memorial for community members in Oak Park’ days before her birthday, according to TMZ.

Scaman noted that despite Betty moving to California when she was young, residents are still committed to honoring her legacy. 

‘Oak Park residents have been grateful that over the course of her life, Betty spoke very highly of Oak Park. She continued to visit relatives there years after heading west,’ Scaman said.  

Legend: Betty White Day will take place on Jan. 17 and feature a mural contest, themed specials at various restaurants in town, and more; seen in 2009

Mickey’s Restaurant will offer a special of a hotdog, fries, and diet coke — one of Betty’s favorite meals, while Turano Bakery is planning on making a giant birthday cake. 

Scaman also noted that giant cutouts of Betty are being made to place around the downtown area.

The inaugural Betty White Day also lands on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national holiday, so ‘most everyone in town will already be off from work’ to celebrate together.

Forever in our hearts: Her death was confirmed by her longtime agent Jeff Witjas, who told The Associated Press that she had passed away at her home in Los Angeles. He added that she had not been suffering from any diagnosed illness

White made her name on The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Sue Ann Nivens and cemented her star status with TV’s The Golden Girls and Hot In Cleveland.

Her death was confirmed by her longtime agent Jeff Witjas, who told The Associated Press that she had passed away at her home in Los Angeles. He added that she had not been suffering from any diagnosed illness. 

‘I truly never thought she was going to pass away,’ Witjas said. ‘She meant the world to me as a friend. She was the most positive person I’ve ever known.’ 

Prior to her passing, Betty had participated in a film celebrating her 100th birthday that was set to hit a handful of theaters on Jan. 17.

The producers of Betty White: 100 Years Young said in a statement after her passing, however, that they ‘will go forward’ with plans to release the movie special on what would have been her 100th birthday. 

Tribute: A planned film celebrating her 100th birthday, featuring a star-studded roster of celebrities including Ryan Reynolds, Clint Eastwood and Robert Redford, will air as planned and will now serve as a celebration of her incredible life and career